List of Towns, Villages and Cities in South Omo Zone

South Omo Zone is the far southwestern zone of the South Ethiopia Region, reaching from the Omo River down to the Kenyan border at Lake Turkana. Its administrative centre is Dimeka, in Hamer woreda. The six woredas that make up the zone today held 295,447 people at the 2007 census, with about 398,000 projected for 2022.

The zone is much smaller than it was. In August 2023 its four northern Ari-speaking woredas were separated to form Ari Zone, taking the former capital, Jinka, with them. Before that split South Omo covered 21,055.92 square kilometres and held 573,435 people at the 2007 census.

Woredas (Districts)

Major Towns

Geography

South Omo is dry, hot lowland, and the least densely settled part of the region. The Omo River runs south through it into Lake Turkana, and its annual flood is what makes cultivation possible along the banks. Mount Smith reaches 2,560 metres and Mount Mago 2,538 metres in the north. Mago National Park lies in the northeast, and the Stephanie Wildlife Sanctuary and Lake Chew Bahir occupy the eastern edge.

The zone borders Kenya to the south, Ari Zone and Gofa Zone to the north, Gardula, Ale and Konso zones to the northeast, Oromia Region to the east, and South West Ethiopia Region to the west and northwest.

Demographics

The whole pre-split zone held 573,435 people at the 2007 census, 286,607 men and 286,828 women. The six woredas remaining today accounted for 295,447 of them, and the 2022 projection for those woredas is about 398,000. Both later figures are projections; Ethiopia’s last completed census was in 2007.

South Omo is the most linguistically varied zone in the country. The largest groups recorded in 2007 were the Male at 13.63 per cent, Daasanach at 8.17, Hamer at 8.01, Banna at 4.42, Amhara at 4.21, Tsamai at 3.39 and Nyangatom at 2.95 per cent, with the balance made up of a dozen smaller peoples. Male, Daasanach, Hamer, Banna, Tsamai and Nyangatom are all spoken as first languages, alongside Amharic in government use.

Economy & Local Life

Most households in the west and south are pastoralists, herding cattle, goats and camels and moving with the seasons. Along the Omo, flood-retreat cultivation produces sorghum and maize as the water falls back. The northern highland fringe in Male woreda grows coffee and enset. The weekly markets at Dimeka, Turmi and Key Afer are the fixed points of the local economy and the main reason outside visitors come.

Getting There

The road in runs from Arba Minch through Konso and Weyto to Key Afer, Dimeka and Turmi, and on to Omorate at the Kenyan border. A second route comes down from Sawla through Jinka. Jinka Airport, in the neighbouring Ari Zone, is the nearest airport with scheduled flights and is the usual arrival point. Roads inside the zone are dry-weather tracks and can close during the rains.

FAQ

Where is South Omo Zone?

In the far southwest of the South Ethiopia Region, along the Omo River between the Kenyan border and the Gofa highlands.

What is the capital of South Omo Zone?

Dimeka. Jinka was the capital until August 2023, when it went to the newly created Ari Zone.

How many woredas are in South Omo Zone?

Six: Bena Tsemay, Dasenech, Hamer, Male, Nyangatom and Selamago.

Which peoples live in South Omo?

The Male, Daasanach, Hamer, Banna, Tsamai, Nyangatom, Karo, Mursi and Arbore, among others, each with its own language.

How do you get to South Omo?

By road from Arba Minch through Konso to Key Afer, Dimeka and Turmi, or by air to Jinka and then south by road.